THE clock is ticking on the prospect of Everton and Liverpool sharing a stadium, before the topic has even been properly debated.

THE clock is ticking on the prospect of Everton and Liverpool sharing a stadium, before the topic has even been properly debated.

The proposal was first voiced back in 1966, by Liverpool's visionary secretary Peter Robinson. The issue was raised again this month when North West Development Agency spoke out in support. But after October 3 it could vanish for good.

That is the date Liverpool Football Club submits a planning application for a new #100m super stadium.

Once that is passed and the foundation stones laid for Liverpool's new home, the possibility will recede permanently.

Numerous obstacles prevent the idea even being discussed, notably the reluctance of leading figures at both clubs to even consider the prospect.

Both David Moores and Bill Kenwright are acknowledged groundshare sceptics.

But if a shared stadium meant Liverpool spending #50m rather than #100m they would surely consider the idea. And with Everton still recovering from the blow of the Kings Dock collapse, and shoring up their 111 year old stadium the only viable alternative at present - they could also be convinced of the benefits of sharing.

He first aired his views on the Everton website Toffee-web in April 2001, when Everton's move to the Kings Dock arena was still viable.

But his views remain valid. "I find it incredible that no-one among the club's board members has been prepared, at least in public, even to go as far as considering the advantages of this alternative," he said.

"It would obviously be cheaper for the clubs to build and maintain one ground rather than two. New stadiums are staggeringly expensive and no-one makes the decision to up sticks lightly.

Some clubs - Manchester United is the obvious example - are lucky enough to be able to expand into the surrounding neighbourhood without too much trouble. Everton and Liverpool cannot.

"It will be a tremendous wrench for the fans when the gates close at Anfield for the last time. But we all know it's going to happen. Just take a look around the city, at what is happening in the docks, the city centre, Speke and Garston. Slowly, but surely, the city is being refitted for the needs of the 21st century. Football is inevitably getting caught up in this change.

"Wouldn't the money the clubs could save by building just one ground be better used in trying to establish new footballing dynasties?

"Seen like this, isn't the ground sharing option a potential boost to the prosperity of both clubs and some-thing that can help guarantee, rather than threaten, their independence?

"Most importantly, the clubs literally have a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine their strengths for the good of the city as well as themselves.

"Building one new stadium would give the clubs a chance to try something more imaginative than either could contemplate alone. Together they could build something of international importance and prestige and send a message to the world about the city's place in the global game.

"Gone are the days when clubs were happy to see their biggest asset lie empty 98 per cent of the time. In the last couple of years I've visited Pride Park, the Stadium of Light and the JJB Stadium - each time to visit conferences.

"The city's two great football clubs have one chance to break with the old ways of thinking and consider a truly radical change. If they do not take it, the issue is dead for another century at least."

'Follow San Siro example'

PROFESSOR Harding believes Everton and Liverpool can follow the Italian example, where clubs like Milan and Inter, Genoa and Sampdoria and Lazio and Roma have shared stadia for years.

"Why not?" he said. "Genoa and Sampdoria have cohabited happily for many years. But even more relevant to Merseyside, what about AC Milan and Internazionale? Football clubs don't come much bigger than these two and you have to travel a long way to find supporters as passionate in their rivalry as the Milanese.

"And yet the two clubs share the San Siro without there being so much as a hint of their independence being compromised. Why couldn't the same happen in Liverpool?"

He added: "There is something unique in the Liverpool air that makes the city's football clubs leading candidates for partnership. Everton and Liverpool fans are passionate about their teams, but they are also the friendliest rivals in the country. There is a long and proud tradition of tolerance and camaraderie between the two sets of supporters."